In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Shaikh Rabee Bin Haadee [may Allaah protect him] said: Allaah conferred a great favour on this Ummah by sending Muhammad [sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam], knowledge, truth and the guidance he brought. Allaah said in Surah Aal Imran:

لَقَدۡ مَنَّ ٱللَّهُ عَلَى ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ إِذۡ بَعَثَ فِيہِمۡ رَسُولاً۬ مِّنۡ أَنفُسِهِمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَڪِّيہِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِڪۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ

Indeed Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (the Qur’an), and purifying them (from sins by their following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (the Qur’an) and Al-Hikmah [the wisdom and the Sunnah of the Prophet (i.e. his legal ways, statements, acts of worship, etc.)], while before that they had been in manifest error. [Surah Aal Imraan’ Aayah 164]

And Allaah [The Most High] said in Surah Al-Jumu’ah: [هُوَ ٱلَّذِى بَعَثَ فِى ٱلۡأُمِّيِّـۧنَ رَسُولاً۬ مِّنۡہُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡہِمۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيہِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِى ضَلَـٰلٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ -He [Allaah] is Who sent among the unlettered ones a Messenger (Muhammad) from among themselves, reciting to them His Verses, purifying them (from the filth of disbelief and polytheism), and teaching them the Book (this Qur’an, Islamic laws and Islamic jurisprudence) and Al-Hikmah (As-Sunnah: legal ways, orders, acts of worship, etc. of Prophet Muhammad). And verily, they had been before in manifest error]. [Surah Al-Jumu’ah Aayah 2]

They used to be in a state of Al-Jaahilyyah [Ref A] – they neither possessed knowledge nor had a book revealed by Allaah. No warner [i.e. Messenger] came to them for a very long time, then this noble Messenger [Muhammad (sallal laahu alayhi wasallam)] came to them whilst they were the most ignorant and misguided people; but Allaah guided them and saved them from the fire of hell through Muhammad’s Dawah and Messengership, as Allaah said: [وَٱذۡكُرُواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِذۡ كُنتُمۡ أَعۡدَآءً۬ فَأَلَّفَ بَيۡنَ قُلُوبِكُمۡ فَأَصۡبَحۡتُم بِنِعۡمَتِهِۦۤ إِخۡوَٲنً۬ا وَكُنتُمۡ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفۡرَةٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلنَّارِ فَأَنقَذَكُم مِّنۡہَا‌ۗ -And remember Allah’s Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it]. [Surah Aal Imraan Aayah 103]

They used to be upon the evilest state of affairs –in a state of enmity, hatred, animosity and disunity. They committed robbery and pillage, and created a state of anarchy; so Allaah saved them through Muhammad [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] in this worldly life and they became the most advanced nation- established the most virtuous civilization ever known to humankind and became the best of all nations amongst humankind, who enjoined good, forbid evil and believed in Allaah, just as Allaah and His Messenger praised them. The Messenger said: “The best of the people are those living in my generation, then those who come after them and then those after them.’’ [Bukhaari 2651] [Ref 1]

Ref A: What is Al-Jaahiliyyah? Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: Al-Jaahiliyyah: It is derived from al-Jahl (ignorance). It is an absence of knowledge, and the intent behind it is the state of affairs before Islaam. The state of affairs before the advent of Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) is (referred to as) Al-Jaahiliyyah because they were in ignorance and misguidance in the affairs of worship, dealings, food, drink, marriage and other than that. They were in ignorance and misguidance due to the long period between Eesaa and Muhammad (i.e. the absence of a messenger).

This was a period of over four hundred years during which the divine message stopped. The divine message was obscured, and ignorance and misguidance became widespread. The people worshiped idols, trees, stones, false deities, the Jinn and humans. They worshiped the Angels, the Awliyaa and the righteous people, and they were upon divergent paths with regards to acts of worship.

And with regards to the affair of halaal and haraam, they did not distinguish between good and filth; rather they used to deal with Ribaa. The Ribaa Al-Jaahiliyyah (The Pre-Islamic Usury) was: When they used to settle a debt with a debtor, they would say: “Either you settle the debt, or we increase the debt and double the time it (should be paid)”. This was the Pre-Islamic Usury and it used to be predominant in their dealings. They used to gather wealth through forbidden means–through pillage, plunder, robbery and devouring people’s wealth through falsehood.

And with regards to food, they made dead animals and blood lawful; they used to eat dead animals, blood and repugnant things. And with regards to their relationship between one another, they used to kill and fight one another over the most trivial thing. They neither had a leader nor a state–they were either under the authority of tribal systems or under the authority of the Persians and the Romans. The powerful used to encroach upon (the rights of the weak), and the oppressor used to transgress the limits, and no one stopped him.

This was Al-Jaahiliyyah (The Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance). They were upon ignorance in all aspects (of life) and the greatest of that (ignorance) was with regards to worship and creed. They used to be upon the creed of Shirk, rejected the (Resurrection) and the Divine Message (of the Messengers). (Allaah said that) they used to say: [مَا أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَلَىٰ بَشَرٍ مِنْ شَيْءٍ – Nothing did Allaah send down to any human being (by revelation) 6:91]

This was their state in Al-Jaahiliyyah (The Pre-Islamic Period of Ignorance); then, Allaah (Glorified Be He) sent Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) with the Guidance and the Religion of Truth. Allaah stated:[هُوَ الَّذِي أَرْسَلَ رَسُولَهُ بِالْهُدَىٰ وَدِينِ الْحَقِّ – It is He Who has sent His Messenger (Muhammad) with Al Hudaa (the Guidance) and Deenul Haqq (the religion of truth -Islaam) 9:33]

‘Hudaa’ is beneficial knowledge and ‘Deenul Haqq’ is righteous action. Allaah (Glorified Be He) sent His prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) with beneficial knowledge and righteous action, so because of the advent of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) Al-Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) ceased to exist for ever walil-laahil Hamd, and knowledge and guidance arrived.

The ‘Jaahiliyyah Aamma’ (The Pre-Islamic ignorance that was widespread in the world and touched every aspect of life) has ceased to exist; but it remains with some people or with some of the tribes, or in some of the lands. This is Jaahiliyyah Juz-i (a portion of Pre-Islamic Ignorance), (but) as for the ‘Jahiliyyah Aamma’, this has ceased to exist after the advent of the Messenger (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam), but some characteristics of Pre-Islamic ignorance remain with some of the people due to the saying of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam): “Among my people there are four characteristics belonging to pre-Islamic period which they do not abandon: boasting of high rank, reviling other peoples’ genealogies, seeking rain by stars, and wailing (i.e. for the dead)’’ (reported by Muslim).” This remains, but it is a portion, (but) as for the Jaahiliyyah Aamma, it has ceased to exist.

So due to this, it is not permissible to say that the people are in Jaahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic ignorance). Some (people) say: “(the people) are in a state of Pre-Islamic ignorance that is more severe than the one before the sending of the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam)”…. The meaning of this (statement of theirs) is a denial of what the Messenger (sallal-laahu-layhi-wasallam) came with; it is a denial of the Qur’aan, the Sunnah of the Prophet and the abundant knowledge within our hands. Its meaning is that we are in Al-Jaahiliyyah (Pre-Islamic ignorance). This is a mistake, the people are not in Al-Jaahiliyyah, walil-laahil Hamd, but there remains some of the characteristics of Al-Jaahiliyyah in some individuals, in some nation states and in some tribes; but this is a specific Jaahiliyyah. Therefore, it is incumbent to be acquainted with this affair. [Ref 2]

Noble brothers and sisters, after one is acquainted with the extreme darkness that engulfed humankind after the departure of Eesaa [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and the light that shown once again after the advent of Muhammad [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him], then indeed one will not give any consideration to the desires, conjectures and slanders of the contemporary enemies of the Messengers [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them]. They utilise many terms to attack, distort and slander the perfect way of life by way of adorned speech, just as Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] stated, “And if you ponder upon the statements of the people of falsehood, you will indeed find them clothed with expressions and presented in a good light with sophisticated terms, which are quickly accepted by those deprived of sound discernment-to the extent that the wicked sinners would give [good] names to the greatest types of wicked deeds”. [Re 3]

Noble brothers and sisters, the strategies utilised by the contemporary enemies of the Messengers [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them] is no different from that of the ancient enemies of the Messengers [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon them]. Allaah [The Exalted] stated about Fir’awn: [فَٱسۡتَخَفَّ قَوۡمَهُ ۥ فَأَطَاعُوهُ‌ۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ قَوۡمً۬ا فَـٰسِقِينَ – Thus he [Fir’aun (Pharaoh)] befooled and misled his people, and they obeyed him. Verily, they were ever a people who were Fasiqun(rebellious, disobedient to Allah)]- Meaning: Fir’awn deceived them through those doubts, which were portrayed as something true. He deceived his people and his chiefs through words that neither carry any reality nor were such words a means by way of which truth could be distinguished from falsehood. And those words cannot deceive, except the possessors of feeble intellects. Fir’awn did not possess any proofs; rather he only stated that he was the king of Egypt  (at the time) and that the rivers flow beneath him? He did  not produce any proof to nullify the message brought by Moosaa [alayhis-salaam], even though Moosaa [alayhis-salaam] had few followers; found it hard to express himself clearly and did not possess the riches that Firawn possessed. However, the fact of the matter is that Fir’awn’s chiefs had no common sense, so they followed whatever he said -whether truth or falsehood. And because they were rebellious sinners, Fir’awn beautified shirk and evil for them. [Ref 4]

Noble brothers and sisters, it is very interesting that King Louis IX carried these same ideas. In the year 1250 he was captured whilst on a crusade against the Muslims of Egypt; then he was imprisoned and later released after paying a large ransom. However, whilst in prison he utilised his time to think about ways in which to plot against Islaam and the Muslims, so shaytaan inspired him with the following plots: Firstly: The war in the battlefield between the Christians of the west and the Muslims should be replaced with a war based on ideas and cultural supremacy. Secondly: Prepare the West to corrupt the creed of the Muslims and distort the image of Islaam in the world. [Ref 5]

This is exactly the strategy of many Islaam haters – those who hate the people of Tawheed and the revelation of the Lord of the heavens and the earth, even though neither are they forced to accept Islaam nor threatened; rather they simply hate Tawheed and its proofs. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

شَرَعَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلدِّينِ مَا وَصَّىٰ بِهِۦ نُوحً۬ا وَٱلَّذِىٓ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ وَمَا وَصَّيۡنَا بِهِۦۤ إِبۡرَٲهِيمَ وَمُوسَىٰ وَعِيسَىٰٓ‌ۖ أَنۡ أَقِيمُواْ ٱلدِّينَ وَلَا تَتَفَرَّقُواْ فِيهِ‌ۚ كَبُرَ عَلَى ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ مَا تَدۡعُوهُمۡ إِلَيۡهِ‌ۚ ٱللَّهُ يَجۡتَبِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَہۡدِىٓ إِلَيۡهِ مَن يُنِيبُ

He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islam) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have inspired in you (O Muhammad), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Mosesý) and ‘Iesa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically), and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion). Intolerable for the polytheists is that to which you (O Muhammad) call them. Allah chooses for Himself whom He wills, and guides unto Himself who turns to Him in repentance and in obedience. [Surah Ash-Shooraa. Aayah 13]

Allaah [The Exalted] said:[لَآ إِكۡرَاهَ فِى ٱلدِّينِ‌ۖ قَد تَّبَيَّنَ ٱلرُّشۡدُ مِنَ ٱلۡغَىِّ‌ۚ فَمَن يَكۡفُرۡ بِٱلطَّـٰغُوتِ وَيُؤۡمِنۢ بِٱللَّهِ فَقَدِ ٱسۡتَمۡسَكَ بِٱلۡعُرۡوَةِ ٱلۡوُثۡقَىٰ لَا ٱنفِصَامَ لَهَا‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ – There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Taghut and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All-Hearer, All-Knower]. [Surah Al-Baqarah. Aayah 256]

Noble brothers and sisters, as we can see, they have not been forced to accept anything; rather the Lord of the entire existence gave us and them free will to choose between Tawheed and Shirk. They chose Shirk -and may Allaah guide them, but also desire that others should follow them upon their destructive path; otherwise they will utilise every strategy to slander and belittle what Allaah has ordained. This is why you find them saying, “Strict Sharee’ah Laws’ which implies that they seek to vilify what Allaah has ordained and wish to pass a judgement on it based on desires. Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] said, “Everyone with a bit of [uncorrupted] intellect knows that indeed the corruption of the world and its ruin occurs due to giving precedence to opinion over the divine revelation and [evil] desires over sound intellect. These two corrupt motives [or basis] are neither entrenched in a heart, except that its destruction becomes inevitable, nor in a nation, except that its affairs are completely corrupted”. [Ref 6]

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [rahimahullaah] also said, “It has been stated that the reason behind Iblees being distanced [from the mercy of Allaah] is because of false interpretation, for indeed he made an analogy with the text and gave precedence to the analogy over the text. He made a false interpretation about himself and that  [his so called] rational analogy takes precedence over the command to prostrate. [Allaah informed us that Iblees said]: [أنا خير منه – I am better than him [i.e. Aadam], and that a virtuous one cannot humble himself to one who has been given virtue over him; therefore he quickly said [as Allaah informed us that Iblees said]: [خلقتني من نار وخلقته من طين – You created me from fire, and him you created from clay]. Therefore, he thought that this rational analogy that resembles truth- even though it is false – will benefit him in his false interpretation. So, that which happened him happened and he became the leader of everyone- until the day of judgement- who makes a false interpretation of the texts of the revelation. How many a person in this world are followers of this cursed leader! And if you contemplate on the majority of those doubts that are made to resemble the truth by the false interpreters of the texts and seeking to nullify them, you will find that it is similar to the doubts of Iblees which he seeks to portray as truth. So, a person says: If the intellect and the text oppose each other, then give precedence to the intellect. This is where this principle is derived from and he [i.e. the proponent of this affair] use it as a fundamental principle through which he rejects those texts of the revelation which he claims are in opposition to the intellect, just as his leader Iblees claimed that a [so called] rational proof opposed the command to make sujood. This doubt came to him due to pride which prevented him from submitting to the clear texts of the revelation. Likewise, you find every false disputer against the texts of the revelation does so due to pride. Allaah [The Exalted] said: [إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُجَادِلُونَ فِي آيَاتِ اللَّهِ بِغَيْرِ سُلْطَانٍ أَتَاهُمْ ۙ إِن فِي صُدُورِهِمْ إِلَّا كِبْرٌ مَّا هُم بِبَالِغِيهِ ۚ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللَّهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ – Verily, those who dispute about the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allah, without any authority having come to them, there is nothing else in their breasts except pride [to accept you (Muhammad ) as a Messenger of Allah and to obey you]. They will never have it (i.e. Prophethood which Allah has bestowed upon you). So seek refuge in Allah (O Muhammad from the arrogants). Verily, it is He Who is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer]. [Surah Ghaafir. Aayah 56] [Ref 7]

Shaikh Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah [rahimahullaah] said: And even though there is something in the paths of analogical reasoning and reflection that will lead to knowledge, however sometimes it cannot give detail explanation in a dispute between the people of the earth due to the minute details and ambiguities [in that dispute], and at other times due to the fact the people differ when prioritising necessities. Therefore, due to this Allaah [The Most High] commanded [us] to return to the revelation in times of dispute. Allaah [The Most High] said: [ كَانَ ٱلنَّاسُ أُمَّةً۬ وَٲحِدَةً۬ فَبَعَثَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مُبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ وَأَنزَلَ مَعَهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ لِيَحۡكُمَ بَيۡنَ ٱلنَّاسِ فِيمَا ٱخۡتَلَفُواْ فِيهِ‌ۚ -Mankind were one community (i.e. upon Tawheed and Allaah’s Sharee’ah) and Allah sent Prophets with glad tidings and warnings, and with them He sent the Scripture in truth to judge between people in matters wherein they differed]. [Surah Al-Baqarah’ Aayah 213] Therefore, Allaah [The Most High] designated the revealed Books [i.e. the Qur’aan being the final of them] as the judge between the people in matters wherein they differ. [Ref 8]

Shaikh Abdur Razzaaq Al-Badr [hafidhahullaah] said: If you say that the intellect is to be given precedence over the revelation, then which intellect should we follow? Are the intellects of the people combined in the intellect of one man or do they differ? There are intellects of the philosophers, the atheists, the heretics, the people of evil desires and those who confound truth with falsehood; and due to this one of the Salaf said, “Had the desires been one, it would have been considered to be the [basis of] truth”; therefore, we say, “Had the intellects been one, it would have been considered to be the [basis of] truth”. [Ref 9]

Noble brothers and sisters, this is the first category of deviants – those who give precedence to their feeble intellects, give preference to this short worldly life over the afterlife and seek to distort the way of life ordained by their Lord. Allaah [The Exalted] said:

الٓر‌ۚ ڪِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ إِلَيۡكَ لِتُخۡرِجَ ٱلنَّاسَ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِمۡ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ

ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِى لَهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۗ وَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنۡ عَذَابٍ۬ شَدِيدٍ

ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَحِبُّونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ وَيَصُدُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَيَبۡغُونَہَا عِوَجًا‌ۚ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ضَلَـٰلِۭ بَعِيدٍ۬

Alif-Laam-Raa. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. (This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad ) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness by their Lord’s Leave to the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise.  Allah to Whom belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth!  And woe unto the disbelievers from a severe torment.  Those who prefer the life of this world instead of the Hereafter, and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah (i.e. Islam) and seek crookedness therein – They are far astray. [14:1-3]

[الٓر‌ۚ ڪِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ إِلَيۡكَ لِتُخۡرِجَ ٱلنَّاسَ مِنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِم – Alif-Lam-Ra.  (This is) a Book which We have revealed unto you (O Muhammad) in order that you might lead mankind out of darkness by their Lord’s Leave”.

Imaam Shanqeetee (rahimahullaah) said: Allaah (The Most High) clarified in this noble ayah that He sent down this great Book unto His Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) in order that he may remove mankind from the darkness of disbelief and misguidance and (enter them) into the light of Imaan and guidance. The meaning of this ayah has been made clear in other Aayaat, such as the saying of Allaah:  [هُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُنَزِّلُ عَلَىٰ عَبۡدِهِۦۤ ءَايَـٰتِۭ بَيِّنَـٰتٍ۬ لِّيُخۡرِجَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ إِلَى ٱلنُّورِ‌ۚ – It is He Who sends down manifest Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) to His slave (Muhammad) that He may bring you out from darkness into light]. [Soorah Hadeed. Ayah: 9]

Indeed, Allaah (The Most High) clarified in this ayah (i.e. 14:1) that none can be removed from darkness and (entered) into light except by His Leave, as He stated: [بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِم – By their Lord’s Leave]. This has been made clear in other Aayaat, such as the saying of Allaah: [وَمَآ أَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا لِيُطَاعَ بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ – We sent no Messenger, but to be obeyed by Allah’s Leave]. [Nisaa. Ayah 64] Also the saying of Allaah:  [وَمَا كَانَ لِنَفۡسٍ أَن تُؤۡمِنَ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ –It is not for any person to believe, except by the Leave of Allaah] [Yoonus. Ayah 100] [Ref 10]

Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah) said: Allaah (The Most High) informed (us) that He revealed His Book unto His Messenger Muhammad (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) for the benefit of the creation (i.e. Mankind and Jinn); so that they might be removed from the darkness of ignorance, disbelief, evil manners and all types of disobedience, (and entered into) the light of knowledge, Imaan and good manners. And concerning the statement of Allaah: [بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِم – By their Lord’s Leave];  that is they cannot reach the goal of that which is pleasing to Allaah, except by Allaah’s Will and Help. So in this there is an exhortation for the slaves to seek help from their Lord. Then Allaah explained (the meaning of the) light to which this Book guides to, saying: [إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَمِيد – To the Path of the All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise]; that is the path that leads to (obedience to Allaah and His Messenger, success in this life and the next etc) and the abode of honour (i.e. paradise), which (is achieved by way) of having knowledge of the truth and acting upon it.  And with regards to the statement: [ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَمِيدِ  – The All-Mighty, the Owner of all Praise] after the mention of the path leading to Him, in this is an indication that the one who follows the straight path is given might by Allaah and he is a strong person, even if there are no helpers for him except Allaah. He is praiseworthy in his affairs and will achieve a good end. This also indicates that Allaah’s path is the greatest proof that He (The Most High) possesses Perfect Attributes and Lofty Descriptions, and that what He has appointed for His slaves is mighty authority. He is praised in His Statements, Actions and Rulings (i.e. because He is the Bestower of all things and He is free from all imperfections). He alone is described with all the perfect Names and Attributes; He is the only one worthy of worship through those acts of worship (He has prescribed), which are the dignified signposts of the straight path.  And just as He is the owner of the kingdom of the heavens and the earth-The Creator, The Sustainer, The Controller of the affairs of the universe- likewise, He has religious rulings for His slaves because He is their Owner (i.e. the Owner of mankind and jinn), and it does not befit His (Wisdom, Majesty, Glory etc) that He leaves them Suda [neglected without being punished or rewarded for the obligatory duties enjoined by Him]

After Allaah clarified the evidences and proofs, He then made a promise to the one who does not pay attention to (such proofs and evidences), saying: [وَوَيۡلٌ۬ لِّلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ مِنۡ عَذَابٍ۬ شَدِيد – And woe unto the disbelievers from a severe torment].  Then Allaah described them, saying: [ٱلَّذِينَ يَسۡتَحِبُّونَ ٱلۡحَيَوٰةَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا عَلَى ٱلۡأَخِرَةِ – Those who prefer the life of this world instead of the Hereafter]. They make it a duty and are satisfied with it, whilst being heedless of the afterlife.  [وَيَصُدُّونَ  – And they hinder] mankind [ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ– From the Path of Allaah] which Allaah has appointed for His slaves, clarified in His Books and conveyed through the speech of His Messengers.  So, these people have indeed turned away from their Protector through enmity and waging war against Him. [وَيَبۡغُونَہَا عِوَجًا‌ۚ  – And seek crookedness therein (i.e. in Allaah’s Religion)]; that is: They are eager to ridicule and make it look repugnant, in order to make people flee from it; however Allaah will not allow that to happen, rather He made His religion uppermost even though the disbelievers may hate it. [Ref 11] They desire that Allaah’s path should become crooked, swaying towards (corruption) and deviated from the right course, even though it is self-evident and neither can it be harmed by the one who opposes it nor by the one who forsakes it. [Ref 12]  So with this desire of theirs, they are in ignorance and straying far away from the truth and rectification. [Ref 13]

[أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ فِى ضَلَـٰلِۭ بَعِيدٍ  – They are far astray] because they are misguided and misguiding others. They oppose Allaah and His Messenger, and wage war against them; so what type of misguidance can be farther than this?  As for the people of Imaan, they are the opposite of these ones–they believe in Allaah and His Aayaat; they prefer the afterlife over the worldly life and call to the path of Allaah.  They perfect their actions to the best of their ability and manifest their steadfastness. [Ref 14]

Noble brothers and sisters, as for the second category of deviants, then they are none else other than the likes of those who seek to hijack the Islamic Sharee’ah to propagate their false methodologies. You can read their affair on this link: Dumb, Foolish, Evil Khaarijites of Tahrir, Ikhwan, Al-Qaidah and & ISIS http://www.shariah.ws/authors/Abu.Iyaad.cfm

Indeed, noble brothers and sisters, the Sharee’ah of Islaam can neither be vilified by those who seek to give it false descriptions nor can it be hijacked by people of bidah. Imaam Ash’Shaatibee [rahimahullaah] said, “Know that Allaah has established this sharee’ah as a proof against the creation [i.e. mankind and jinn] – the old and young alike; the obedient and the disobedient; the righteous and the wicked. He did not specify the proof against anyone in exclusion of another one. Also all the other revealed laws were established as proof against all the other nations to whom they were revealed. The Sharee’ah is the judge- restrictedly and unrestrictedly; the [source of judgement] and the judge on all those who have reached the age of responsibility. It is the path attached to [what Allaah has ordained] and the Greatest Guide. And have you not seen the statement of Allaah [The Most High]?! [وَكَذَٲلِكَ أَوۡحَيۡنَآ إِلَيۡكَ رُوحً۬ا مِّنۡ أَمۡرِنَا‌ۚ مَا كُنتَ تَدۡرِى مَا ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ وَلَا ٱلۡإِيمَـٰنُ وَلَـٰكِن جَعَلۡنَـٰهُ نُورً۬ا نَّہۡدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا‌ۚ وَإِنَّكَ لَتَہۡدِىٓ إِلَىٰ صِرَٲطٍ۬ مُّسۡتَقِيمٍ۬ – And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Ruhan (an Inspiration, and a Mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith? But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to the Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism)].’’ [Soorah Ash-Shooraa. Ayah: 52]

He [alayhis salaatu wassalaam] was the first to be guided to the Book and Eemaan, and then those who followed him. The Book is the Guide and also the Sunnah which was sent down upon him explains that guidance [i.e. the Sunnah and the Qur’aan explain each other]. All the creation [i.e. mankind and Jinn] are guided by it. Therefore, when this is the case, the Sharee’ah is worthy of being a decisive proof against them [i.e. against mankind and Jinn] and a beacon by way of which they are guided to the truth. Their nobility is established in accordance with how far they embrace its rulings- through acting upon them in speech, belief and deeds– and not merely due to the level of their intellects or their nobility amongst their people. That is because Allaah [The Most High] has determined nobility through Taqwa and no other than it. Allaah [The Most High] said: [إِنَّ أَڪۡرَمَكُمۡ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ أَتۡقَٮٰكُمۡ‌ۚ- Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has At-Taqwa] [49:13]

The one who is the firmest [in his  or her] adherence to the Sharee’ah is more worthy of honour and nobility, but it is not possible for the one below this [i.e. the one whose adherence to the Sharee’ah is below that of the one who is firmest in adhering to it] to reach the highest level of honour based on his adherence to the Sharee’ah. Therefore, honour is [measured] in accordance with one’s [level of adherence] to the Sharee’ah”. [Ref 14]

Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] says, “Indeed, Allaah created [Jinn and humankind] and gave them an innate disposition to recognise Tawheed, obey Him and worship Him alone; but they differed – some of them believed and others disbelieved. Allaah said: [هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمۡ فَمِنكُمۡ ڪَافِرٌ۬ وَمِنكُم مُّؤۡمِنٌ۬‌ۚ – He it is Who created you, then some of you are disbelievers and some of you are believers]. [64:2]

Allaah wishes Eemaan and well-being for them, but shaytaan and the callers to evil wish disbelief and evil for them.  Allaah [The Exalted] said:

يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيُبَيِّنَ لَكُمۡ وَيَہۡدِيَڪُمۡ سُنَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ وَيَتُوبَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ۬

وَٱللَّهُ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتُوبَ عَلَيۡڪُمۡ وَيُرِيدُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلشَّہَوَٲتِ أَن تَمِيلُواْ مَيۡلاً عَظِيمً۬ا

Allaah wishes to make clear (what is lawful and what is unlawful) to you, and to show you the ways of those before you, and accept your repentance, and Allaah is All-Knower, All-Wise.   Allaah wishes to accept your repentance, but those who follow their lusts, wish that you (believers) should deviate tremendously away from the Right Path.’ [4:26-27]

And due to this, Allaah sent the Messengers, revealed the Books and established His Proofs; so, there are those amongst humankind who accept the truth and embrace Eeemaan by choice, and there are those who reject the truth and embrace disbelief by choice. Indeed, Allaah has laid down the differences between the Muminoon and the Kaafiroon in this life and the next, and He forbade that the two groups are made equal.  Allaah [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] has set out recompense and judgment for each of the two groups in this life and the next.  He has given a distinguished name to every group; such as [Mumin – believer], [Kaafir- disbeliever], [Barrun- upright/righteous one], [Faajir – evildoer], [Mushrik- Polytheist], [Muwahhid- Monotheist], [Faasiq- sinner], [Munaafiq- hypocrite], [Mutee’un – an obedient one] and [Aasee- a disobedient one].  And He [Glorified be He and free is He from all imperfections] forbade that equality is made between these differing names and attitudes.  Allaah said:[أَمۡ حَسِبَ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱجۡتَرَحُواْ ٱلسَّيِّـَٔاتِ أَن نَّجۡعَلَهُمۡ كَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ-Or do those who earn evil deeds think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah Islaamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds]. [45:2]

And Allaah said: [ أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَعَمِلُواْ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَٱلۡمُفۡسِدِينَ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَمۡ نَجۡعَلُ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلۡفُجَّارِ – Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah Islaamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, as Mufsidoon (those who associate partners in worship with Allaah and commit crimes) on earth? Or shall We treat the Muttaqoon (the pious ones), as the Fujjaar (criminals, disbelievers, wicked, etc)’ [38:28]- meaning: We have not made them equal because that does not befit Allaah’s Justice.

Should we abandon the words [Kufr, Shirk, Kuffaar and Mushrikeen] found in the Qur’aan, the Sunnah and the Books of Islaamic creed?  This will be a violation of the Book and the Sunnah, and an opposition to Allaah and His Messenger.  By changing the real meanings of the Sharee’ah terms, we will be from those who distort the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Messenger.  Then what defence can be given for [such a deed]- is it to please the Kuffaar?  The disbelievers will never be pleased with us until we abandon our religion.  Allaah [The Exalted] said:

وَلَن تَرۡضَىٰ عَنكَ ٱلۡيَہُودُ وَلَا ٱلنَّصَـٰرَىٰ حَتَّىٰ تَتَّبِعَ مِلَّتَہُمۡ‌ۗ

Never will the Yahood nor the Nasaaraa be pleased with you [O Muhammad Peace be upon him] till you follow their religion. [2:120]

Allaah said: [ وَدُّواْ لَوۡ تَكۡفُرُونَ كَمَا كَفَرُواْ فَتَكُونُونَ سَوَآءً۬‌ۖ – They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another)'[4:89]

And if the intention of those who call for the substitution of the sharee’ah terminologies is to show gentleness to the kuffaar and to have good dealings with them, then this cannot be [done] by changing such sharee’ah terminologies; rather it  can only be [done] through what Allaah has legislated regarding their affair.  This comprises of the following affairs:

1.To invite them to Islaam, which is the religion Allaah has ordained for all of humakind.  Allaah said: [ٱدۡعُ إِلَىٰ سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِٱلۡحِكۡمَةِ وَٱلۡمَوۡعِظَةِ ٱلۡحَسَنَةِ‌ۖ وَجَـٰدِلۡهُم بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحۡسَنُ‌ۚ – Invite (mankind, O Muhammad) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islaam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur’aan) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. [16:125] Therefore, we invite them (to Islaam) for their rectification and happiness in this life and the next.

2.To make peace with them if they seek that.  Allaah said: [وَإِن جَنَحُواْ لِلسَّلۡمِ فَٱجۡنَحۡ لَهَا وَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ – But if they incline to peace, you also incline to it, and (put your) trust in Allaah.  Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [8:61]

Likewise, to make peace with them if the Muslims are in need of making peace, and when there is an overriding benefit for the Muslims in making peace; just as the Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) made peace with the kuffaar at Hudaibiyyah.  And by virtue of peace, diplomacy is (established) between them and the Muslims.

3.Not to be hostile towards them without due right.  Allaah said: [وَلَا يَجۡرِمَنَّڪُمۡ شَنَـَٔانُ قَوۡمٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَلَّا تَعۡدِلُواْ‌ۚ ٱعۡدِلُواْ هُوَ أَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوَىٰ‌ۖ وَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرُۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ – And let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice.  Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear Allaah]. [5:8]

4.To behave well towards those of them who behave well towards the Muslims; those who neither kill nor drive Muslims out of their homes.  Allaah said:

لَّا يَنۡهَٮٰكُمُ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمۡ يُقَـٰتِلُوكُمۡ فِى ٱلدِّينِ وَلَمۡ يُخۡرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَـٰرِكُمۡ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمۡ وَتُقۡسِطُوٓاْ إِلَيۡہِمۡ‌ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُقۡسِطِينَ

Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity. [60:8]

5: To have permissible beneficial dealings with them; in trade, exchange of beneficial information and utilization of the worldly sciences, and things that are of benefit in our lives.

6: To fulfil contacts made with them, and to honour the blood, wealth and rights of the Mu-aahideen (i.e. those none-muslims who have a treaty with the Muslims) because it is binding upon them to (fulfil their covenants with the Muslims) and the Muslims are to (fulfil their covenants with them).   Allaah said: [فَمَا ٱسۡتَقَـٰمُواْ لَكُمۡ فَٱسۡتَقِيمُواْ لَهُمۡ‌ۚ – So long, as they are true to you, stand you true to them]. 9:7

And the ones forbidden to be killed are the Muslim and the Mu’aahid [i.e. the non-Muslim who has a treaty with the Muslims].  And indeed the Prophet said about the killing of a Mu’aahid, “Whoever kills a Mu’aahid will not even smell the fragrance of paradise and its fragrance can be smelled from the distance of forty years away”. [Bukhaari: No: 3166]

And whoever kills a Mu’aahid by mistake, it is as if he has killed a Muslim by mistake.  He must pay blood money as expiation.  Allaah said: [وَإِن ڪَانَ مِن قَوۡمِۭ بَيۡنَڪُمۡ وَبَيۡنَهُم مِّيثَـٰقٌ۬ فَدِيَةٌ۬ مُّسَلَّمَةٌ إِلَىٰٓ أَهۡلِهِۦ وَتَحۡرِيرُ رَقَبَةٍ۬ مُّؤۡمِنَةٍ۬‌ۖ – And if he belonged to a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, compensation (blood money – Diya) must be paid to his family, and a believing slave must be freed]. [4:92]

And finally, I advise these ones [those who called for a change of the sharee’ah terminologies] to repent to Allaah.  They should not enter into an affair which they have neither mastered nor is it [something] they have specialized in, because that would be tantamount to speaking about Allaah without knowledge. Indeed, Allaah stated: [وَلَا تَقۡفُ مَا لَيۡسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلۡمٌ‌ۚ   – ‘And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge].[17:36]

Allaah said: [قُلۡ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّىَ ٱلۡفَوَٲحِشَ مَا ظَهَرَ مِنۡہَا وَمَا بَطَنَ وَٱلۡإِثۡمَ وَٱلۡبَغۡىَ بِغَيۡرِ ٱلۡحَقِّ وَأَن تُشۡرِكُواْ بِٱللَّهِ مَا لَمۡ يُنَزِّلۡ بِهِۦ سُلۡطَـٰنً۬ا وَأَن تَقُولُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ – ‘Say (O Muhammad): (But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al-Fawaahish (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allaahfor which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allaah of which you have no knowledge]. [7:33]

Allaah placed speaking about Him without knowledge in a level above shirk due to its seriousness. And if it the case that these ones are aware of the subject matter regarding specialist knowledge and that a person cannot enter into that which is not his domain, just as one does not enter into the affair of medicine because it is not his domain, then why do they enter into the affairs of the sharee’ah, rather they enter into the most serious affairs of the sharee’ah, and that is the subject matter of Aqeedah, even though it is something they are not specialised in. I do not desire anything from this [speech] except to give advice and clarification”. [Ref 15]

Shaikh Abdul Waahid Ar–Rai [ Abu Khadeejah (may Allaah) preserve him)] stated: “The goal of a Muslim in his or her life is to please Allah by worshipping Him alone and, by doing so, he enters Paradise after death. A Muslim attains the pleasure of Allah and His Paradise through living an “ethical” life by: Sincere religious observances upon the Prophet’s way: Shahādah (the testimony of faith), Salāh (daily prayers), Zakāh (charity), Sawm (fasting), Hajj (the pilgrimage), and other obligations such as: Umrah, the Friday prayer, etc. Leading a righteous life by keeping away from that which Allah has forbidden, and being a morally upright person: generous, kind, modest, merciful, humble, sincere, etc”.

“Many Islamic countries are ruled by Muslims in line with their faith and the teaching of the Qur’an and Hadeeth. They can hear the call to prayer, they are not allowed to cohabit with the opposite sex, and must marry if they want to start a family, they cannot drink alcohol, gamble and so on. So those laws help Muslims live a more Islamic life. Offences such as rape, paedophilia and murder carry severe punishments because they are: (a) destructive crimes, (b) go against Islamic teachings, (c) ruin the fabric of civil society”.

“The British government is a secular government (i.e. not based on religion). It allows practices that Muslims are not allowed to indulge in, such as drinking alcohol, eating pork, partaking in interest transactions, having sexual relations before marriage. However Muslims do not have to partake in practices that go against their faith. There were many practices that took place in Makkah when the Prophet (peace be upon him) lived there for the first thirteen years of his Prophethood, the worst of those being idolatry. Other oppositions to Islam also took place (such as the killing of baby girls), but he persevered patiently with the people and did not abandon calling them to worship Allah alone and to good conduct and morals. He lived amongst them and had great concern for their spiritual well-being”. [Ref 16]

Shaikh Abdul Waahid Ar-Rai [Abu Khadeejah (may Allaah preserve him)] also stated: “Sharī’ah in the language means “a path to a watering hole”. In Islamic usage, it means: The Islamic Religious Law revealed by Allāh (Almighty God) which governs all the affairs of society for the benefit of the people. It governs areas such as business, banking, contracts, family, marriage, divorce, security, criminal law and many other affairs pertaining to society. Although Muslims in Britain are subject to British law and the British legal system, Sharī’ah tribunals are allowed in certain areas as an alternative way of resolving disputes. These are aimed at resolving commercial, civil and matrimonial disputes to the satisfaction of both sides. Sharī’ah Law is based upon the Qur’ān and Sunnah, and judgements are made in accordance to these two sources. Only those well-versed with the Religion and jurisprudence (rulings in law) are permitted to judge in Sharī’ah matters”. [Ref 17]

Noble brothers and sisters, there are many non-Muslims who live peacefully alongside Muslims – neighbours, colleagues and business partners- both in Muslim and non-Muslim lands; however the two types of enemies faced by Muslims are those who vilify them, such as the militant secularists and atheists, the demagogues, the ideologues and deceitful writers, and those who seek to hijack the Sharee’ah to promote their deviations, such as the likes of ISIS, Al-Qa’idah, Boko Haram, Al-Shabab and their ilk.

Noble brothers and sisters, therefore, let us be mindful of these two categories of people because indeed they are devils amongst mankind, and their misguidance is nothing else but a plot of shaytaan and shaytaan desires nothing else but misguidance, through sinful negligence, exaggeration, deception, evil desires, false argumentation etc. Allaah [The Exalted] informed us in Soorah An-Nisaa Ayah 119 that shaytaan said: [وَلَأُضِلَّنَّهُمْ]Verily, I will mislead them]- meaning: From the truth. [وَلَأُمَنِّيَنَّهُم – And surely, I will arouse in them false desires]; Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) said: He (shaytaan) desires to hinder (them) from repentance and to delay it. [Ref 18]

[وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُبَتِّكُنَّ آذَانَ الْأَنْعَامِ – I will order them to slit the ears of cattle]; (That is) to cut off the ears of the cattle]; [وَلَآمُرَنَّهُمْ فَلَيُغَيِّرُنَّ خَلْقَ اللَّهِ – And indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah];  Ibn Abbaas (radiyallaahu-anhumaa) said: He (ibleees) intends by this the religion of Allaah. And the meaning of this is that Allaah created his slaves upon an upright fitrah (i.e. an upright natural disposition that will enable them to recognize Allaah, accept the call of the messengers when it reaches them and worship Allaah alone), as He (the most high) said:

فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا ۚ فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا ۚ لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

مُنِيبِينَ إِلَيْهِ وَاتَّقُوهُ

So set you (O Muhammad) your face towards the religion of true Monotheism- Hanifa (worship none but Allah Alone) Allah’s Fitrah (i.e. Allah’s Islamic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq–illah (i.e. the Religion of Allah Islamic Monotheism), that is the straight religion, but most of men know not. (Always) Turning in repentance to Him (only), and be afraid and dutiful to Him….[Soorah Ar-Rum Aayaat 30-31]

And that is why he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said: Every child is born on a Fitrah [a natural disposition to recognize Allaah, accept the call of the messengers when it reaches them and worship Allaah alone], but his/her parents convert them him/her to Judaism, Christianity or Magianism, as an animal gives birth to a perfect baby animal.  Do you find it mutilated?’’  Then after (narrating this hadeeth) Abu Hurairah recited: [فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا- Allah’s Islamic Monotheism, with which He has created mankind.

Therefore, he (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) mentioned two affairs: The alteration of the fitrah through Judaism and Christianity and the alteration of the original natural physical appearance of the creation through mutilation. They are two affairs which iblees said that he must change-alteration of the natural disposition (through) incitement towards disbelief and alteration of the original natural physical appearance through mutilation. So he (iblees) changes the fitrah through incitement towards shirk and alteration of the original natural appearance (of the creation) through cutting and mutilation. This one is alteration of the fitrah of the soul and that one the alteration of the original natural appearance of the creation. [Ref 19]

And Allaah [The Exalted] stated that shaytaan said:

قَالَ فَبِمَا أَغْوَيْتَنِي لَأَقْعُدَنَّ لَهُمْ صِرَاطَكَ

الْمُسْتَقِيمَ

ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُمْ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ وَعَنْ شَمَائِلِهِمْ وَلاَ تَجِدُ أَكْثَرَهُمْ شَاكِرِينَ

(Iblis) said: “Because You have sent me astray, surely I will sit in wait against them (human beings) on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from before them and behind them, from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them as thankful ones (i.e. they will not be dutiful to You).” [7:16-17]

[ثُمَّ لَآتِيَنَّهُم مِّن بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ – Then I will come to them from before them and behind them]; Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said this means, ‘’I [Iblees] will bring doubts to them about the Hereafter.’’[وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ – and behind them]; Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said that this means, ‘’I [Iblees] will make them covetous for the worldly things.’’ [وَعَنْ أَيْمَانِهِمْ  – and from their right]; Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] said this means, ‘’I [Iblees] will make their religion obscure [by making them hold onto doubtful matters which they would consider to be the truth]. [وَعَن شَمَائِلِهِمْ – and from their left]; Al-Hasan [rahimahullaah] said this means, ‘’I [Iblees] will command them to commit evil deeds, urge them toward it and beautify it in their eyes [i.e. make it fair seeming to them]’’.

It has also been reported from Ibn Abbaas [radiyallaahu-anhumaa] who said that Iblees did not say ‘’And from above them’’ because he knows that Allaah is above them. Qataadah [rahimahullaah] said, ‘’O son of Adam! Shaytaan comes to you from every direction but not from above because he is not able to come between you and the Mercy of Allaah.[Ref 20]

We ask Allaah to protect us from the people of deviation until we meet Him. The Prophet [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam] said, “Be shy of Allaah [in a manner] shyness  should be [established]”, so they [i.e. the Sahaabah (radiyallaahu-anhum)] said, “We do feel of Allaah, and all praise and thanks be to Allaah”; the prophet said, “It is not like that; rather the one who is truly shy of Allaah, let him safeguard his head and what it carries; safeguards the stomach and what it carries; remembers death and affliction. And he who wants the Aakhirah should do away with the adornments of this life, then indeed he is truly shy of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]”. [Ref 21]

Al-Mubaarakfooree [rahmahullaah] stated regarding the statement of the Messenger [sallal-laahu-alayhi- wasallam], “Be shy of Allaah [in a manner] shyness  should be [established]”– meaning: “A firm, abiding and truthful shyness”. And regarding the statement of the Sahaabah, “We do feel shy of Allaah”, Al-Mubaarakfooree [rahimahullaah] said, “They said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! We do feel shy of Allaah and all praise and thanks be to Allaah’ but they did not say, ‘We are truly shy of Allaah’ due to their acknowledgement of the fact that they are unable to do so. And regarding their statement, ‘And all praise and thanks be to Allaah’ – meaning, all praise and thanks be to Allaah for granting us Tawfeeq [i.e. for guiding and enabling us to perform righteous deeds]. And regarding the statement of the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], “It is not like that”, Al-Mubaarakfooree [rahimahullaah] said, “Meaning, true shyness is not what you think, rather it is to safeguard all the limbs against what is not pleasing to Allaah”.

And regarding the statement of the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam], “Rather the one who is truly shy of Allaah, let him safeguard his head and what it carries; safeguards the stomach and what it carries; remembers death and affliction. And he who wants the Aakhirah should do away with the adornments of this life, then indeed he is truly shy of Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic]”; Al-Mubaarakfooree [rahimahullaah] said, “Meaning, safeguard the head by refraining from utilising it in disobedience to Allaah – that you do not make Sujood to other than Allaah; refrain from Riyaa whilst praying; do not lower your head [in humility] for other than the sake of Allaah, nor raise it out of pride. And with regards to what the head carries, such as the tongue, the eyes and the ears, do not utilise them for Haraam. Safeguard the stomach by refraining from eating Haraam as well as safeguarding what is connected to it – such as the private parts, the legs, the two hands and the heart- [from what is Haraam]”.

“Remembers death and affliction”– Meaning, remember death and your abode in the grave. “And he who wants the Aakhirah should do away with the adornments of this life”– Meaning, because the two cannot be combined in a perfect manner, even those who are strong [in Eemaan] cannot do so [i.e. perfect desire for the afterlife has to be combined with abandoning those enjoyable things of the worldly life which one can do without]. So, whoever does this [i.e. the things mentioned this hadeeth], then indeed he is truly shy of Allaah. [Ref 22]

As for our Muslim rulers, we supplicate for them that Allaah strengthens them, so that they implement the Sharee’ah of Allaah in all aspects of life. We neither rebel nor speak against them in public, rather we ask Allaah to grant them success. And even when they are oppressive, we follow the command of the Messenger [sallal laahu alayhi wasallam]. Read here: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

Finally read: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/living-with-non-muslims-in-the-west-with-fine-conduct/

And Allaah knows best

Ref 1: Marhaban Yaa Taalibal Ilm pages 144-146. abridged and slightly paraphrased

Ref2: https://salaficentre.com/2013/09/updated-the-people-used-to-ask-about-the-good-hudhaifah-radiyallaahu-anhu/

Ref 3: An Excerpt from As-Sawaa-iq al-Mursalah of Imaam Ibnul Qayyim: 2/438). Slightly paraphrased

Ref 4: An Excerpt from ‘Tayseer Al-kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ by Imaam As-Sadi (rahimahullaah)

Ref 5: خطة لويس التاسع  – page 6]

[Ref 6: A’laam Al-Muwaqqi’een 1/67-69]

[Ref 7: [Ref 2: An Excerpt from ‘As-Sawaa’iq Al-Mursalah 1/371-372’. Slightly paraphrased. Your feedback is welcome to improve the content of this article Baarakallaahu]

[Ref 8. Dar Ta’aarud Al-Aql Wan-Naql: 9/17-18];

[Ref 9. Muqaddimah Fee Diraasah At-Tawheed’ by Shaikh Abdur-Razzaaq Al-Badr (may Allaah preserve him) Lesson: 3]

[Ref 10] See Tafseerul Qur’aan Bil-Qur’aan Min Adwaa Al-Bayaan.

[Refs 11 & 14] Tayseer Al-Kareem Ar-Rahmaan Fee Tafseer Kalaam Al-Mannaan’ of Imaam Sadi (rahimahullaah)]

[Ref 12: Qurratul Ainayn Alaa Tafseer Al-Jalaalayn

[Ref 13: Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdheeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer

[Ref 14: Source: Al-Itisaam 3/434 slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 15: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Bayaan Li-Akhtaa’i Ba’dil Kuttaab. 2/177-180. By Shaikh Saaleh Al-Fawzaan (hafidhahullaah). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 16: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/educate-yourself-ethics-1-1-faith-and-ethics-redstone-academy/]

[Ref17: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/educate-yourself-ethics-1-2-shariah-redstone-academy/]

[Ref 18: Source: Ighaathatul Luhfaan 1/105-107]

[Ref 19: Ighaathatul lahfaan 1/105-107. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 20: Source: An Excerpt from ‘Badaai at-Tafseer al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol pages 377-379]

[Ref 21: At-taleeqaat al-Maleehah Alaa Silsilah Al-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah. Vol 1. Page 66];

[Ref 22: Tuhfatul Ahwadhiy. 7/131. Slightly paraphrased]